Friday, February 26, 2010

On Saturday, we joined a bunch of other fiber lovers for a day of spinning, dyeing, embroidery, weaving and rug punching. It was great to see some old friends and make some new ones. The Coffee Bar of Splendor was reason enough to join the party - great coffee! Lunch and snacks were provided as participants became peckish. We needed our strength for all the activities available. There were great fibers, yarns, spinning wheels and other goodies available for purchase at this event.

Even my husband Louie got into the action! He spent most of the day working with Bjo Trimble of Griffin Dyeworks at the dyepots. This is the first time he has tried natural dyeing and he just jumped in with both feet. I have included a photo of him with his glorious hand-dyed skeins. He used indigo, cocchineal, mustard (I can't remember what the yellow was). The colors he created were wonderful and he is really proud of his achievement! In fact, he has been fondling skeins at home and talking about how great the colors turned out. I haven't seen him this excited about something that wasn't on four wheels in a long time! Who knows, maybe I will get him spinning soon. I can dream, right!?

My friend Jamie joined us for the day and we had such fun just hanging out and spinning and talking, with lots of laughter thrown in for good measure. As you can see, he documents everything with photos (caught in the act).

On Tuesday, my Louet Classic drum carder arrived and since then I have been carding lots of art batts for my etsy shop (www.excavations.etsy.com). Will be spinning up some new art yarns too.

This Sunday, I will be at LisCat in Long Beach with SpinOlution wheels for trying out. Come join us if you are in the area!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Inspired by Lexi Boeger (of Pluckyfluff fame) I decided to participate in the Handspun Revolution exhibit at Galleri Zink in Lillehammer, Norway. These yarns are on their way to be included in the show May 7-18, 2010.

As a little girl, I used to listen to my grandfather's stories about his boyhood in the Indian Territory (which is now the state of Oklahoma.) He spoke of carding wool for his mother to spin for making clothing for the family. He also entertained me with stories of joining the cavalry as a teenager and then working for the railroad in the last vestiges of the pioneer West. His accounts always fascinated me and one of the dearest sounds in the world to me was the sound his dentures clicking as he spoke and his laughter as he delighted himself and me with humorous renditions of his adventures.

Years later, when my own son was small, spinning became a part of my life and it brought tears to my grandfather's eyes watching my son card wool for me as I made yarn just as he had done as a boy. Since I was the only one of my generation in our family who enjoyed spinning, quilting and weaving, he and I shared a special bond as well as the fact that I always laughed at his jokes no matter how many times he had told them.

Later on, I actually made a living as a spinner and these days I find myself exploring more of the contemporary art yarns and am enjoying it immensely. Even though I stay fairly close to home these days, my yarn will be enjoying an adventure in Norway in the company of lots of other fibery goodness!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

There has been a lot of learning, new experiences and changes going on around here. As of February 1, 2010, I have severed my relationship with Ozark Handspun due to personal and creative differences. For some time, the exciting challenge of new design opportunities has beckoned and I decided it was time to move in other directions. Therefore, if anyone has questions about any of the designs I had created for Ozark Handspun, do contact me directly in the future.

I will be designing for new yarn company clients and also continuing to promote SpinOlution spinning wheels as the Southern California distributor. Additionally, more focus will be placed on writing new patterns, magazine articles and teaching as well as selling my own art yarns. The opportunity to pursue new challenges always stimulates my creative juices and promises to be a lot of fun. I have posted a couple of photos of things to come.

About Me

My early years were spent in the redwoods of Northern California. I come from a long tradition of gifted artists and needlewomen, so my love of fibery things comes naturally. Part of my childhood was spent on a farm where my favorite animals were the sheep, of course! I have always sort of made things up as I went along, a born designer I suppose.
Over the years, I've enjoyed teaching a range of fiberarts ranging from quilting, spinning, dyeing, knitting and crocheting as well as millinery techniques through Parks and Recreation, junior colleges and upscale yarn shops. This continues to be my greatest joy.